Fence



(No Model.)

J. W. HAYNES.

FENCE.

No. 436,286. Patented Sept. 9, 1890.

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JOHN VILLIAM HAYNES, OF DONNELLSON, ILLINOIS.

FENCE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 436,286, dated September 9, 1890. A

Application filed December 28, 1889. Serial No. 335,219. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, JOHN WILLIAM HAYNEs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Donnellson, in the county of Montgomery and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fences; and Ido declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon,which form a part of this specification. My invention has relation to fences; and it consists in the improved construction and combination of parts, whereby the fence may be arranged either in a straight line or in zigzag form, and when in this latter position may be securely locked and prevented from being disarranged or turned out of its zigzag hinged together, and in the accompanying` The fence is composed of sections suitably drawings forming part of this specification, Figure l is a side elevation of two sections arranged in zigzag form and showing the improved locking device in proper position. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the fence arranged in a straight line, the lock being shown as re. moved. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the lockingkey, and Fig. 4.- is a detail view of the upper portion of one of the posts.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, the letters A A indicate the fence-posts or uprights of each section, said posts being connected by central braces B.

The fence-wires are indicated by the letter C, and are secured to the uprights in the following Inanner: The wires which connect the posts A are provided with bent ends c, which pass around to the outer side faces of the up rights and engage staples a, secured thereto, while the bent or hooked ends e of the wires of the opposite section, or the wires which connect the posts A', simply engage staples a secured to the front faces of said posts, as clearlyindicated in Fig. l of the drawings.

The sections of the fence are designed to be hinged together, so that the same may be readily arranged in zigzag form, and for this purpose I provide the uprights A upon their side edges and near the upper and lower ends thereof with staples a2, adapted 4to receive hooks or equivalents da, projecting from the opposite faces of the uprights A. In this manner it will be seen that the sections may be made to swing readily, so as to be conveniently changed from a straight to azigzag position, or vice versa.

In Fig. 3 ot' the drawings I have illustrated the improved locking key or wedge D which I desirek to employ in conjunction with my fence. This key consists of approximately V-shaped end portions d and d', connected by a central piece or web d2. The end d', as will be observed,is considerably smaller than the opposite end, and is adapted to engage the appropriate sides of the posts when inserted into place, forming an abutment to prevent the locking-pin from being forced horizontally out of it-s position. This key or wedge is permanently connect-ed to the fence by means of a small chain E, the upper end of which is secured to one of the uprights. When the fence is swung out of a straight line, as shown in Fig. 1, and it is desired to insert the key, all that is necessary to be doneis simply to pass the same between two of the posts until the central piece or web d2 of the key engages the shoulders a4. As the V-shaped formation of the ends of this key necessarily provides beveled edges, the key will tightly and securely fit between the posts, while the beveled edges of the larger end c will bear against the opposing faces of the uprights, which in this position are arranged or thrown out of an oblique angle or at an incline, thus registering with the same and securely locking the fence. f

Heretofore it has been found difficult after arranging a fence of this character in zigzag form to retain the same in that position, as derangexnent is likely to occur through violent contact with an object or through otherv causes. It will be readily seen, however, that by the construction shown by Ine this diticulty is entirely obviated, as the more violent the pressure brought to bear upon the fence the more iirmly will the wedge act. Further more, by forming the end CZ the key is pre- Vented from being pushed out horizontally from the side of the fence through Which the same protrudes. Then it is desired to remove the Wedge and again arrange the fence in a straight line, all that is necessary to be done is simply to lift the same up vertically from between the posts, the securing-chain preventing the same from being misplaced or lost and always keeping the key Within convenient reach.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

In a hinged fence, the combination, With uprights having the edges of their opposing In testimony whereof I ax my si gnature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN WILLIAM 'I-IAYNES.

NVitnesses:

JN0. L. MCDAVID, JOHN L. HARRISON. 

